The internationally known Festival d’Avignon, created by Jean Vilar in 1947, is one of the most important theatre events in the world, commanding the attention of the public, the professionals and the media.

Performances are given in more than 20 venues throughout the city and beyond; and hundreds of other, “unofficial” shows are also put on by Avignon Public Off.

The Festival has provided fertile ground for the permanent companies in Avignon, and for the Academy of Dramatic Art.

The Maison Jean Vilar, a theatre documentation and research centre founded in 1979, holds theatre-related events throughout the year. With the opening of the School for Theatre Techniques (I.S.T.S.) in 1987, unique in Europe, Avignon further strengthened its position in the field of theatre.